Blog
Parenting TIP – Maintain a healthy balance between enforcing rules and extending forgiveness and love.
- April 25, 2019
- Posted by: LIFE International School
- Category: Uncategorized

Of the various parenting styles, researchers have found that the most effective is the style that seeks to create positive relationship and enforce rules. Just as Jesus was a perfect balance of grace and truth, that is also a good model for us as we strive for healthy parenting. Build relationship. Expect obedience.
A protected playground
A helpful word picture related to this style of parenting is “a playground with a fence around it.” A family should be fun. It should be a warm and welcome place built around enjoying God and each other.
Through planned activities and prioritized relationships, it should be a sanctuary of enjoyment and encouragement. It should be…well, like a playground!
But it’s a protected playground. To protect your family and the important family relationships, everyone needs clearly defined rules. This keeps the atmosphere of our homes safe. A fence keeps us from wandering outside the playground and into dangerous territory—and it keeps danger out of the playground as well.
A place of balance
A family of truth without grace is like a fence without a playground inside. It may be a safe place, but it’s also a dead place. It’s like a prison. On the other hand, a family of grace without truth is like a playground without a fence. It may be a lot of fun, but it’s at risk of being interrupted with danger, tragedy, or destruction.
A playground with a fence around it is the very best. It is a place of balance between grace and truth, where rules and relationship work in harmony to produce the desired goal. Just as God is full of grace and truth, so are a successful marriage and family life. This balance is essential to a functional, happy family.
We are drawn to Jesus because He best exemplified the redemption and power that a balance of grace and truth brings. Your marriage and family can be that same force for redemption.
Are you out of balance? Listen to the people around you. That’s a great way to recognize imbalance. For example, what does your spouse complain about? What do others say about your parenting style? Does this represent a lack of grace (too much fence) or a lack of truth (too much playground)? Balance can be found by opening yourself up to God and letting others speak into your life.
Our advice: work to make your family into a playground—but don’t forget to protect it with a sturdy fence!
In summary: How can you help your child be successful in school? Maintain a healthy balance between enforcing rules and extending forgiveness and love.
This advice was gleaned from a blog by Jimmy Evans a Marriage Coach and counselor, conference speaker, and author.